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Customer Success Story: How AAFTA Strengthened Its Credit with Experian

Published: September 18, 2025 by Gary Stockton

At A Glance

Success story of a vocational school in the entertainment industry building credit with Experian.

The American Arts Film & Television Academy (AAFTA), founded by Jessica Orcsik, is known as the “Juilliard of the West.” As a hybrid vocational school, AAFTA provides elite yet affordable training in performing arts, film, and television. Beyond developing talent, the academy equips artisan creatives with skills in content creation, financial literacy, and career development. With a strong focus on international students and underrepresented voices, AAFTA empowers its community to succeed in one of the world’s most competitive industries.

The Challenge: Inconsistent Credit Reporting

Despite being operational since 2017, AAFTA’s financial partner did not consistently report the academy’s credit history. This lack of reporting created barriers to qualifying for larger loans, consolidating debt, and securing the affordable financing needed to expand programs. Without a complete and accurate record, AAFTA was left rebuilding its business credit profile while navigating missed opportunities.

The Solution: Experian Business Credit Advantage

To address this gap, Jessica turned to Experian Business Credit Advantage. The platform provided the transparency she needed—allowing her to regularly check AAFTA’s credit progress and clearly identify areas for improvement.

“Experian clearly defines and identifies those areas that need to be addressed. It provides the practical approach we really need as business owners.”

American Arts Film & Television Academy

Jessica Orcsik, Founder & President

With these insights, Jessica gained more control over AAFTA’s financial reputation and positioned the academy to qualify for affordable financing while shopping more competitively among lenders.

The Results: Building Toward Growth

By leveraging Experian Business Credit Advantage, AAFTA is:

  • Rebuilding its credit profile with accurate, up-to-date reporting.
  • Qualifying for more affordable financing to consolidate debt and fund expansion.
  • Gaining credibility with lenders and vendors, creating new opportunities for growth.

For Jessica, Experian’s Business Credit Advantage solution is more than a monitoring tool, it’s a partner in strengthening AAFTA’s financial foundation and enabling the academy to continue empowering the next generation of artists.

About Experian Business Credit Advantage

Experian Business Credit Advantage is a self-monitoring tool that helps small businesses stay on top of their credit profile, identify risks, and position themselves for better financing opportunities. By providing ongoing visibility into a company’s financial reputation, Experian helps business owners like Jessica Orcsik focus on what matters most: building, growing, and achieving long-term success.

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